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Key Highlights
Twists and turns as royal saga continues
King will pick Azam’s replacement
‘Pig-headed’ proposal results in treason claim
Twists and turns as royal saga continues
Negeri Sembilan ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir has called for calm amid a royal feud between the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and state territorial chieftains who are attempting to depose him, with His Highness saying, “Don’t ever take any actions influenced by desires and emotions.”
Tuanku Muhriz stressed that those with rank and position must understand their responsibilities and only take action based on guidelines and law.
Despite the rumbling shaking his throne, Tuanku Muhriz carried on with business as usual, officiating the first state legislative assembly meeting of the year yesterday, which was boycotted by the Undang Yang Empat as well as the Tunku Besar of Tampin and later postponed.
Meanwhile, the royal saga has also taken twists and turns with accusations of corruption pointed at the nobles who ousted the Sungai Ujong chieftain. It was the removal of this chieftain from his position which caused the other Undang Yang Empat to sack Tuanku Muhriz as ruler.
A number of nobles in Rembau have also distanced themselves from their chieftain for his role in the royal tussle.
Opinions are divided on the legitimacy of the chieftains’ decision, with a former Court of Appeal judge questioning whether they had followed due process, while former menteri besar Rais Yatim opined that the sacking was valid.
However, the adat perpatih scholar suggested that the royal crisis be resolved amicably to avoid tarnishing customs and reputations.
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King will pick Azam’s replacement
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has stepped in to quiet the ruckus over whether Azam Baki will retire as MACC chief when his extension expires on May 12, with an announcement that it will be the king’s choice.
“His Majesty has decreed that he will select a new chief commissioner of the MACC to lead the agency.
“As such, His Majesty stressed that there is no need for any party to politicise the matter,” read a statement by the Royal Press Office yesterday.
Sultan Ibrahim said the position is crucial in ensuring that MACC continues to function effectively as the nation’s main institution combating graft.
There has been plenty of concern over the possibility that Azam, who is entangled in several controversies, could stay in the position after his contract was previously extended three times, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim justifying it as necessary due to the former's purported bravery against corruption.
Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli yesterday warned that if Azam sticks around, the latter may align himself with whoever heads the next government, and should there be a change of power, this could be dangerous for Anwar.
Meanwhile, another “Tangkap Azam Baki” rally is set for this Saturday, which will surprisingly see two parties’ youth wings usually at loggerheads - DAP and MCA - both attending.
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‘Pig-headed’ proposal results in treason claim
The Selangor state assembly erupted yesterday after Perikatan Nasional representatives attempted to have Wong Siew Ki disciplined over her call on the state government to consider adopting a modern pig farming system.
The Seri Kembangan assemblyperson’s proposal made a day earlier was viewed by PN representatives as an affront to the Selangor sultan’s decree that there shall be no further pig farming in the state, with some calling it “treasonous”.
Wong had suggested adopting an environmentally friendly closed-house pig farming system, which led the Selangor PAS Youth and Selangor BN to accuse the DAP lawmaker of disrespecting the ruler and to call for her suspension from the assembly.
Selangor BN information chief Jamal Yunos had reminded Wong that as an assemblyperson, she had taken an oath to uphold the sultan’s decrees, further urging Wong to leave the state if she did not want to abide by them.
DAP Youth leaders have come to Wong’s defence, saying she had raised the issue with humility, urging Umno and PAS to stop inflaming the issue with racial and religious rhetoric.
However, state PAS Youth is not showing any signs of backing down, calling on the public to instead join in a protest today (Friday) at Wong’s service centre.
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